Bayfol? HX films for holographic optical elements
Visual aids become smart data glasses
ÃÜÌÒAV's strategic partner META® at Augmented World Expo USA 2021
Holography makes it possible to produce special optical elements with functions that conventional optics with bulky lenses, prisms and apertures cannot offer. The innovative applications that are possible with volume holographic elements will be demonstrated by (META®) company at Augmented World Expo (AWE), which will be held Nov. 9-11 in Santa Clara, California. The company is implementing the holographic elements using Bayfol® HX photopolymer films from ÃÜÌÒAV. Bayfol® HX is composed of a transparent base material, a photoreactive layer with customizable properties and a protective top layer.
One particularly sensational application is the possibility of superimposing changing information on the edge of corrective lenses for eyeglasses. This turns ordinary visual aids into smart data glasses. For instance, wearers of data glasses or head-mounted displays can communicate with experts remotely during inspections or service work, while keeping their hands free for work.
META is presenting itself at the show as a one-stop shop for advanced optical components: "We are pleased to present a range of smart applications that can be embedded in correction lenses for augmented reality (AR) glasses," said George Palikaras, president and CEO of META. "Our collaboration with ÃÜÌÒAV enables us to offer highly functional, advanced materials and proprietary systems for high-volume production from a single source."
META's one-stop-shop approach, combined with ÃÜÌÒAV's Bayfol® HX technology, offers a number of benefits for OEMs. A wide variety of holographic optical solutions can be realized with a wide range of material thicknesses and formats. "The strength of our strategic collaborative effort is based on the versatility of combining Bayfol® HX films with META's ARfusion™ lens casting technology," emphasizes Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at ÃÜÌÒAV. The eyeglass lenses, including the volume holographic elements, can be produced in high volumes and cost-effectively - thanks to roll-to-roll coating and deposition technologies as well as state-of-the-art plastic processing. META and ÃÜÌÒAV cater to the entire value chain, from optical design and material selection, to mass production and integration.
About ÃÜÌÒAV:
ÃÜÌÒAV is one of the world¡¯s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. ÃÜÌÒAV supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from ÃÜÌÒAV are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, ÃÜÌÒAV aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group¡¯s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. ÃÜÌÒAV generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
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